DOH official: ‘Every one of these deaths was preventable’

The Department of Health in Okaloosa County has a director that’s unafraid to speak truth. The Daily News reports that Okaloosa DOH director Dr. Karen…

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Grand jury slams Okaloosa school superintendent

An Okaloosa County grand jury issued a scathing report stating that School Superintendent Mary Beth Jackson failed to satisfy her obligations to provide for the…

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From Pensacola to Destin, airports booming

The City of Pensacola released yesterday that 175,814 individuals arrived and departed from the Pensacola International Airport in July, setting a new monthly record. The…

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Okaloosa to ship recyclables to ECUA Perdido Landfill facility

Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin reports that Okaloosa County will soon begin shipping its recyclables to ECUA’s new $10-million facility located at the Escambia County’s…

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Okaloosa close to picking new airport director

Okaloosa County has narrowed its for a new director of Okaloosa County’s three airports down to three finalists: Okaloosa’s Interim Airports Director Tracy Stage; Daniel…

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Crime moves to the east as Okaloosa makes soaring crime list

24/7 Wall St. published its list of “Top 9 Cities Where Crime is Soaring.” The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin metro area made the list at No….

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New website aims to hold elected officials in Okaloosa County accountable

The website is AccountabilityOkaloosa.com created by Okaloosa County. It is a campaign to put the priorities of regular citizens at the forefront with elected officials….

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Walton County TDC has BP gift card issue, too

One of my favorite investigative reporters, Tom McLaughlin with the Fort Walton Daily News, reports today that auditors found the Walton County TDC had “inadequate”…

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State Attorney agrees to not prosecute Vision Airlines

When the Vision Airlines pulled out of the Okaloosa County airport leaving behind more than $100,000 in Passenger Facility Charges, the state attorney filed charges…

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State wants further audit of Okaloosa County finances

The state’s Joint Legislative Auditing Committee ordered yesterday a countywide audit of all Okaloosa County finances as well as an audit of the Clerk of…

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Mayor’s marketing firm cited in Auditor General’s audit of Okaloosa TDC

The Florida Auditor General’s Office has released its audit report of the Okaloosa County Commission’s oversight of the Tourist Development Council and the TDC’s use…

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School Board approves funds for deputies in elementary schools. Sigh, Okaloosa not Escambia

While Superintendent Malcolm Thomas is forming a task force on school safety, Okaloosa County is moving rapidly ahead on putting deputies in its elementary schools….

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Official arrested being paid to raise money for festival

Okaloosa County Commissioner James F. Campbell was arrested today and charged with four counts of official misconduct and four counts of perjury. According to the…

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Gilmore Deposition for Valentino trial

Tomorrow, Okaloosa County Judge Jim Ward will rule on a motion by Barry Beroset to dismiss the misdemeanor charges for campaign solicitation in a government…

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More details on Morris kick-back scandal

Daily News reports: Attorneys for Michael Coup, Sandra Norris and David Yacks, Okaloosa County deputies and officials accused in bonus kickback scheme concocted by jailed…

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SRIA misuses beautification funds

The Santa Rosa Island Authority has a beautification fund. Has the SRIA used that fund to buy equipment to get the tar balls and oil…

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News: Okaloosa County awaits BP oil onslaught

Northwest Florida Daily News reports: As Walton County beaches witnessed their heaviest showing of tar balls to date, Okaloosa officials are gearing up for a…

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BP contacts can’t answer many questions, no surprise

State Senator Don Gaetz emailed last week to the media and his constituents the list of BP Contacts in Florida. I had reporter Ryne Ziemba…

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Okaloosa frustrated, too

The Daily News reports that officials in Okaloosa County are just as frustrated with BP’s Unified Command post as we are here. Read Okaloosa officials…

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BP gets to sit on stage for WSRE

BP gets to continue its spin. Don’t expect any technical answers for a PR person. We should allow BP on the stage only the person…

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